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Adolescents’ Social Comparisons, Subjective Social Status, and Coping to Maintain Well-Being: A Qualitative Study

Adolescents’ Social Comparisons, Subjective Social Status, and Coping to Maintain Well-Being: A... Income inequality has increased in the United States over the past decades and, more recently, social media has expanded adolescents’ reference groups and their field of social comparison. These parallel societal changes may influence adolescents’ social identity development and affect their well-being. We interviewed adolescents in contact with health services to understand their experiences with social status differences and social comparisons. In this sample of adolescents, social comparisons varied, based on context and individual characteristics, and were associated with a range of feelings and coping mechanisms. We highlight the implications of the findings in the context of changing societal dynamics. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Applied Social Science SAGE

Adolescents’ Social Comparisons, Subjective Social Status, and Coping to Maintain Well-Being: A Qualitative Study

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Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023
ISSN
1936-7244
eISSN
1937-0245
DOI
10.1177/19367244221140306
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Income inequality has increased in the United States over the past decades and, more recently, social media has expanded adolescents’ reference groups and their field of social comparison. These parallel societal changes may influence adolescents’ social identity development and affect their well-being. We interviewed adolescents in contact with health services to understand their experiences with social status differences and social comparisons. In this sample of adolescents, social comparisons varied, based on context and individual characteristics, and were associated with a range of feelings and coping mechanisms. We highlight the implications of the findings in the context of changing societal dynamics.

Journal

Journal of Applied Social Science – SAGE

Published: Jun 1, 2023

Keywords: subjective social status; social comparisons; adolescents; mental health; depression

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